Just curious: how many members are of the BAPTIST denomination?

I noticed that members here represent various denominations -- praise God.

But, being raised a Baptist myself, I was wondering just how many are of the Baptist principles and practices (identify with the Baptist belief).

Are you a Baptist?

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Permalink Reply by JPrieto on February 2, 2009 at 6:05pm: Well .... just in case -- I started a group "BAPTISTS" and all baptists are welcomed to join; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by JPrieto on February 4, 2009 at 12:03am: wow.... i did not get a reply in MySpace either on this subject
uhm.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by lj on February 10, 2009 at 3:39am: i'm a grace baptist from the u.k.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Celebrating Sterling on February 15, 2009 at 4:11am: Yes.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by hisbikergirl on March 20, 2009 at 10:29pm: Just wondering if you are a part of an independent baptist church , or one in the association of the southern baptist association?They are widespread with their headquarters in Nashville Tenn, they have been in the new alot,recently in Time magazine for their ignorance to clergy abuse...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Art Fontaine on March 21, 2009 at 2:28pm: well I am a Bible based Christian and though I am not "baptist" I believe the same things they do...as long as you aren't talking fire and brimstone southern baptist cuz I understand grace and don't slam rules down peoples throats like some do....The nonlegalistic baptist theology is great in my book. I just believe what the Bible says is true...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by hisbikergirl on April 7, 2009 at 1:38pm: I don't believe in labels either, I am a christian and believe in God's holy word.There is nothing wrong with being called a certain denomination as long as one follows the scriptures and not laws and rules set by man.It's sad that today in many churches the congregants follow the pastor and not Jesus..our church of today needs to return to the word of God..no room for social gatherings and special breakfasts and luncheons we need to reach the lost with the love of Jesus...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Art Fontaine on April 9, 2009 at 9:10am: That is true, fortunately the Holy Spirit usually weeds out the bad ones though. We are going to see the church explode with growth over the next 20 yrs or so. I think people are going to revert back to their need for God when they realize that religion doesn't fill that hole, only God does.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Pastor Johnny J Christen on April 10, 2009 at 10:33pm: I hear you hisbikergirl

What do postmodern teachers mean when they preach that doctrine has little value and that knowing Christ is the only important thing we need to focus on? According to scripture, we cannot know God apart from His word. How do we experience Jesus if we are devoid of understanding? Not every Jesus presented to a congregation is the true Christ. The true Jesus calls for us to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23-24). Yet the Jesus many teach requires nothing from the seeker and allows our lives to continue unchanged even though Jesus said that unless we forsake all, we cannot be His disciple (Luke 14:33). By evading doctrine, we are teaching church members to disqualify themselves from discipleship while falsely claiming that they are disciples. Through doctrine we discover what true discipleship is and we learn how to experience God on a deeper level. As we learn how to set ourselves apart for God, we also learn how to experience God on a deeper level. Look at these passages:

Psalm 119:63-66 63 I am a companion of all who fear You, And of those who keep Your precepts. 64 The earth, O LORD, is full of Your mercy; Teach me Your statutes. 65 You have dealt well with Your servant, O LORD, according to Your word. 66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, For I believe Your commandments.

Proverbs 15:14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

Proverbs 1:22 "How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge.

Proverbs 19:2 Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, And he sins who hastens with his feet.

Our fellowship with true disciples is established on a mutual love for God and His word. We are able to walk in agreement with other believers who also love God’s word and keep His commandments. God teaches us good judgment and knowledge because we believe. If we don’t believe God’s word, we have removed ourselves from fellowship with God. If you have a heart of understanding, you will seek knowledge; however, fools hate knowledge and do not seek it. Why does the Bible tell us that it is not good to be without knowledge? It is because that without knowledge, we cannot know what it takes to live a godly life and keep ourselves from sin. Some love their lifestyles more than God; however, as a teacher or preacher, our goal should be to accurately portray the truth to challenge those who want to know God. If the truth of scripture offends, let it offend. The church should be pursuing those who want to be disciples of Christ – not those who do not. We cannot water down the truth and starve the seeker of God in order to retain the seeker of gratification.

Yes we need to get back to the word of God {{{ONLY}}} there was no such think as Baptist, Roman Catholics or Pentecostals in the first century nor should there be such a thing today.

In Christ
Pastor Johnny; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Art Fontaine on April 13, 2009 at 12:27pm: As much as there shouldn't be denominations they all have their purpose and each one ministers to a different group. When they wrote the Gentiles in Acts and gave them a command, the whole teaching of their requirements was to abstain from sexual sin and not eat the food sacrificed to idols, granted they were already saved but the Bible is clear on what they told them. The rest of the Bible is for each individuals walk at that individuals time frame set by God and not by us so while we may not think someone is being a good Christian we are told not to compare ourselves to others, it gives us a false sense of who we are. We need to know who God says we are. The redeemed, the saved, the sanctified. Now If a person is really saved they are going to have this need to get into the Word more, but the flesh probably will fight you on it. The Word says to renew your mind daily. Obviously if you keep scripture at the front of your mind then you will always use it to make life's decisions. So we need to arm ourselves with the Word. We also see the analogy of the Word being like defensive armor as well so without the solid foundation of the Word you have nothing to hold yourself up. Each individual is different, we are all called to testify to the things we know and God puts it on our hearts when to do so. There are times when the whole Gospel might scare someone away, so you have to discern if it is going to be a seed planting day or a harvest day. So If I just mention grace, which is the Good news period, while I have left out many specifics there is still enough there to get the person saved. Once they are saved they get the Holy Spirit and He does the working out of things, not the person, the person just strives to know God more, How, ? Through the Word of course.
There are so many great ministries out there this day and age, and while some may be fraudulent, the majority love God and want His will for their lives, especially after they realize the freedom they feel in Christ. Just the fact alone that sin has lost its sting and no longer has the power to condemn is enough to get me excited. Obviously not a license to sin but it does mean no matter what you are doing you are still going to heaven if you are saved.
It is necessary to portray the Gospel in truth but it is called the good news for a reason, not the legalistic version of the gospel some preach. If God was a fire and brimstone, Iron fisted ruler we wouldn't have grace... Im not saying that you should leave out any part of the Gospel at all but you should be spending most of your time focusing on the positive and not the negative, focusing on your dreams and goals and God's will for your life...longing for His touch, His favor, His Blessings and everything else that comes with being a King's kid...we should be great stewards with what we have and we should share our God with others not because we have too but because we want to set the captives free. We all have individual callings but we all were called to the great commission...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by nicholas kropelnicki on May 24, 2009 at 12:56pm: hey i happen to like the free lunches :(; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Susan on May 1, 2009 at 4:57pm: I was raised a Baptist. But, while I still believe many of the same things, I now identify myself simply as a Christian and tend to shy away from denominational labels. I tend to see them as divisive. I hope this doesn't sound too simplistic, but I don't see racial differences (people are people) and I don't like denominational labels either (You are either a Christian or you aren't.); ▶ Reply to This